Angel Legacy, vol. 1 - Joss Whedon

Angel Legacy, vol. 1

Joss Whedon's Angel Legacy, vol. 1 collects many of the rare and hard-to-find early issues from previous publishers.

© The Weirding, 2019

Bloom County Artist's Edition

Artist's Ed.

© The Weirding, 2019

Evangelion Illustrations 2007-2017

Evangelion Illustrations 2007-2017

© The Weirding, 2019

Celebrating 80 Years of Marvel Comics

Marvel's 80th Anniversary

© The Weirding, 2019

Saga #50

Saga #50

© The Weirding, 2018

Gideon Falls #1

Gideon Falls #1

© The Weirding, 2018

Reviews 24 Hour Comic (Documentary)

24 Hour Comic

I was lucky enough to receive an advance screener of the new Dark Horse -backed documentary, 24 Hour Comic. I was hesitant to request it because, had it been underwhelming, I would have had some difficult decisions to make... Luckily, I needn't have worried. 24 Hour Comic is excellent -- both as a document, and a film.

Documentarian Milan Erceg explores the annual 24 Hour Comic Challenge, and not only educates and entertains, but dutifully captures the spirit of both the 24 Hour Comic Challenge and the industry and pasttime of comic books as a whole. Comic books' creative heyday was arguably the late 1980s, with the release of highwater marks like Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. These successes lead to the industry's financial heyday in the 1990s, when Scott McCloud and Steve Bissette founded 24 Hour Comic Day as a simple challenge between friends.

It can be difficult to remain cheery and hopeful working in comics, as there is little money, little fanfare, and few rewards. Ridiculously attractive, well-groomed movie stars do not make comic books, and Comic-Con is now little more than a Hollywood press junket. Many view comics as a dying form, and it's easy to feel overlooked as a creative working in an industry whose best days may well be behind it. Yet we persevere out of love... and probably just wrong-headedness.

Far from the slick, big-budget, Hollywood rock-em-sock-ems lay our insular world of impassioned misfits, locked in the all too often overcast drudgery of underpaid in-fighting. It's a masochistic struggle few can define, but will defend to our dying breath. Milan appears very aware of this -- I don't think a single ray of sunshine appears in the entire film -- but his obvious admiration for the event, the participants, and the wider industry borders on the fanboyism that drives us all. It's that love for the form, stories, and characters that compelled us to work in the medium in the first place, and inspiring that in others is our vindication.

I guess that's what comics creators want more than anything else: Revenge.

Don't expect anything groundbreaking insofar as filmmaking goes, but in the best possible way: Erceg stays clear of his subject, employing techniques best suited for the job. The style lends energy to the static activity of comics creation, conveying the frenetic sensibility of a 24-hour "all-nighter" with a subtle tinge of '90s nostalgia. Playing with the focus, the interstitial shots of doughnuts in various stages of consumption, jump-cuts galore -- we've seen these techniques before, but they perfectly fit the subject without calling undue attention to the filmmaker.

My only gripe is the number of establishing and transitional shots -- time I feel could have better been spent on interviews, entrants' discussion during the marathon, or a look at how creators throughout the world celebrate the event in their homes and local comics shops (though I'm sure that would have required more time and money). One participant completes early but is drawn back into the challenge when another points out that he is actually one page shy, for instance. I would have loved to have seen that exchange! Milan does an excellent job of showing the passage of time, but that is largely lost along the way as you become more concerned with the entrants than the event itself.

Comparisons to the biographical Crumb are inevitable, and merited (due to the personalities involved), but 24 Hour Comic remains tonally consistent with its subject -- not going too deep, while still providing a replete and entertaining document of the challenge which exists apart from the participants. Neither founder participates anymore, though McCloud is interviewed extensively throughout the movie. There are tales you will wish had been followed after the marathon, and creators you will want to know more about, but Erceg remains focused on the 24 Hour Comic Challenge itself, and skillfully captures it.

24 Hour Comic is available for pre-order on iTunes, and hits VOD platforms July 11^th. I highly recommend it to fans, and non-fans alike.

© The Weirding, 2017

Monsterella #1

Monsterella #1

© The Weirding, 2017

Mechanism TPB

Mechanism TPB

© The Weirding, 2016

Dante #1

Dante #1

Dante was a family man with a wife and a young daughter — and also a top assassin working for an international crime syndicate. For two decades, he worked hard to keep those two lives separate. Manipulated into thinking he could retire with the syndicate's blessing, Dante is betrayed. Cursed, and covered with otherworldly tattoos, Dante embarks on a journey to uncover the source of this supernatural affliction, and to save his family

© The Weirding, 2016

Hellboy in Hell, Vol. 2

Hellboy in Hell, Vol. 2

© The Weirding, 2016

The Saviors TPB

The Saviors TPB

© The Weirding, 2016

Mike Baron's Badger

Badger

© The Weirding, 2016

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas #1

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas #1

© The Weirding, 2016

Arsenic Lullaby The Devil's Only Friend

© The Weirding, 2015

Creator Owned Heroes Coming in June

"American Muscle": a race against nothing across a post-apocalyptic America. "Triggergirl 6": the perfect assassin — except for her conscience. These are the first two titles showcased in the new Image Comics anthology, CREATOR OWNED HEROES, edited by Jimmy Palmiotti.

"Creator-owned" isn't just a business model — it's also a publishing philosophy that focuses on creators of comics, who retain the ownership and all the rights to their creations, rather than on "properties" that are corporate property. CREATOR OWNED HEROES was created not only as a vehicle for creators' creativity but emphasize the importance of this model to the reading public.

"With Creator Owned Heroes we wanted to not only have a place to introduce new ideas and concepts, but to give the reader a place to come each and every month to interact and explore the world around us," said Palmiotti. "This is a personal project that will continue to grow with the support of our readers and I for one am looking forward to its evolution. "

In "American Muscle," written by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) with Kevin Mellon (HEART) on art duties, a group of rebels break off from the last stronghold of human civilization in search of a fabled paradise on what used to be the West coast of the United States. What they find, however, is something much different...

"Triggergirl 6," by Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex, QUEEN CRAB), Justin Gray (Power Girl, Jonah Hex) on the writing side and art by Phil Noto (Avengers: The Origin, THE INFINITE HORIZON) offers a very different kind of future, one where a woman designed to be a perfect killer can be created in a tank and then let loose on the world.

The first issue of the monthly anthology also includes interviews with comics and literature superstar Neil Gaiman and with cosplaying twins Juli and Alex Abene, who created a Triggergirl costume based on an incentive cover of the first issue.

CREATOR OWNED HEROES #1 is a 40-page, full-color comic book for $3.99. It is available now for pre-order from the April issue of Previews (cover A: APR120420, cover B: APR120421, cover C: APR120422) and will be in stores on June 6^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

The Walking Dead - Rise of the Governor

Are you looking to impress THE WALKING DEAD fan in your life this holiday season with the perfect gift? Well, you're in luck! That's right, holiday shoppers need look no further than their favorite comic book retailer to purchase the deluxe, leather bound, slipcased hardcover edition of the New York Times bestseller, THE WALKING DEAD – RISE OF THE GOVERNOR NOVEL by series creator Robert Kirkman and co-writer Jay Bonansinga.

"Many have asked me whether I will ever write a prequel about the lives the character lead before," said Kirkman. "Well, that's basically what we're doing with these novels. And we wanted to offer the fans a special edition before the holidays."

To make the gift even more impressive, this deluxe edition will feature spot illustrations by series artist Charlie Adlard. Comic book readers may wonder if there's any better way to improve upon a novel than by adding pictures. Well, there is! There is also an even rarer, super deluxe edition that will also be signed and numbered by Kirkman!

THE WALKING DEAD – RISE OF THE GOVERNOR NOVEL is the first in a planned trilogy of novels based on the characters introduced in THE WALKING DEAD comic book series. RISE OF THE GOVERNOR sheds light on the true origins of The Governor, the most vile and deadly villain yet to appear in THE WALKING DEAD comic book series. Now fans of the comic book and AMC's record breaking TV adaptation can discover the transformation of one man into a monster with this special deluxe edition!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Art of Carbon Grey

This December, the art secrets of Image Comic’s masterpiece will be revealed in THE ART OF CARBON GREY HC. The series' astonishingly talented team of artists, Hoang Nguyen, Khari Evans and Linsun Loh will provide an extensive look at the making of the epic, richly illustrated saga, revealing the concepts, influences and designs that shaped the fantastical yet strangely familiar world of Carbon Grey.

"I'm excited to give readers a behind the scenes look, where we focus on storytelling, character designs, and composition," explained Nguyen. "It's these attention to details that make our book so much fun to work on."

Evans added, "It's a fantastic adventure that I am honored to be a part of!"

THE ART OF CARBON GREY HC will show fans how three talented artists united to create such a uniquely beautiful and kinetic visual style. Readers will get to delve into their working processes and trace the evolution of the characters and worlds that made CARBON GREY one of the most explosive comics of the year. THE ART OF CARBON GREY provides a fascinating insight into the creative process in a series of illustrated essays and tutorials on subjects including “Traditional vs. Digital” and “Recasting Giselle.”

THE ART OF CARBON GREY HC (OCT110448, ISBN: 978-1-60706-474-9), an oversized 128-page full color comic art book for $29.99, will be on sale in stores December 7^th, and will be available for order in the upcoming November issue of Previews. CARBON GREY, VOL. 1: SISTERS AT WAR TP (JUL110459, ISBN: 978-1-60706-448-0), a 96-page trade paperback collecting the first 3 issues of the sold out first story arc and more, is available in stores now for only $9.99.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Thought Bubble

Like Image Comics, UK's Thought Bubble festival celebrates sequential art in all its forms and genres. Now the leading creator-owned publisher is joining forces with the non-profit Thought Bubble organization to celebrate the fifth year of the festival with THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY, a collection whose proceeds will go to the charity Banardos.

THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY features short stories written by Andy Diggle, Stuart Gordon, and Antony Johnston, gorgeous art by Charlie Adlard, Duncan Fegredo, and D'Israeli, and a cover by Becky Cloonan, and will also include the six winners of the Northern Sequential Arts Competition.

"Thought Bubble is delighted to be working with one of our favourite publishers, Image Comics, for our first ever anthology," said Lisa Wood, Thought Bubble Festival Director. "We are stunned at the support we have received from everyone who has contributed to the comic and hope it is the first of many more to come!"

The Thought Bubble Festival takes place across Leeds from the 14^th-20^th of November with a massive Comic Con held at the city's largest convention halls on the 19^th and 20^th. It is now the UK's largest festival celebrating comic art in all its wondrous forms.

THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY #1 (SEP110389), an oversized, 24-page full color anthology comic book, will be on sale for $2.99 in stores November 9^th and is available to order now in the September issue of Previews.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

The Fine Art of Sweets

SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY, the acclaimed noir-inspired comic book miniseries written and drawn by Louisiana native Kody Chamberlain, will soon be collected into a complete trade paperback through Image Comics. Chamberlain's gritty and richly illustrated series tells the story of a down-and-out detective trying to bring a killer to justice before his city and evidence are washed away by an impending storm. SWEETS is steeped in effortless local detail, recalling readers to the sights, sounds, and flavors of New Orleans.

While Chamberlain's fans await the release of the new trade paperback collection, his work is being presented for the first time ever in a fine arts gallery setting at The Arcadiana Center for the Arts. The gallery exhibition is now open and available for viewing until October 1^st, 2011. Arcadiana Center for the Arts will also host a release party and book signing for the trade paperback comic with Chamberlain on September 10^th at 6pm.

"Kody Chamberlain's work in this exhibit transcends the genre of comic illustration with a depth of perspective and intensity of vision that can only be described as masterful," said Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, Executive Director, Acadiana Center for the Arts. "The chiseled technical detail of his work combines with solid psychological underpinnings to draw the viewer down the rabbit hole and lets us wander in strange and exciting landscapes."

"This is a highly unique exhibit. I was able to install my entire miniseries, with lettering, in a gallery setting," said Chamberlain. "The 117 pages of sequential story completely fills the space with only a half inch of wall between each page, the end result is a striking visual experience. This comic feels like it's alive in that room."

SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY, was the winner of the 2011 Spinetingler Award in the category of Best Mystery/Crime Comic or Graphic Novel.

Gallery details:
Kody Chamberlain - Sweets: A New Orleans Crime Story
The Acadiana Center for the Arts - Mallia Gallery
101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette, LA 70501
337.233.7060 (phone), 337.233.7062 (fax)
Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 10 AM - 5 PM, Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Admission: Members: Free; General: $5; Students & Seniors: $3;
17 & Younger: $2; 4 & Younger: Free

SWEETS: A NEW ORLEANS CRIME STORY TP (JUN110516, ISBN: 978-1-60706-413-8), a 136-page full color crime noir comic book, will be on sale for $14.99 in stores September 9^the.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011